do you have friends on overstay?

[jacksam]

Lately there have been posts of members clearing overstay, which has been really positive and good outcome for them. Some have very long overstays and now have clean sheet.

There is no data to back this up (that I know of) but im thinking there are many many here on overstay for various reasons. Do you think they will just do an Ostrich in regards to march 20

[BritTim]

I knew two chronic overstayers in the past, but they have moved on.

Sadly, I think there will be some staying in the sticks who are still unaware of the March 20 deadline. There will also be some who have no choice but to ignore the deadline, and pray, because they cannot raise the approximately 30,000 baht they need to clear it and reenter with a valid visa.

[glegolo]

Yes it still surprices me too, how people are ducking and sticking their heads in the sand. They have to the very most part being enabled in their falang-countries to do just that, in all walks of life, and just pay their way out if they have been spotted in whatever situation....

Time to pay up for these guys, and be on their way home again..... Unless they cant adapt and learn and obey the laws in the country they are living in..

Glegolo

[justaphase]

Nobody wants to be on overstay. Nobody thinks beforehand "i know, its cheaper to overstay 2 years and pay 20,000 the 20,000" Everyone has their reasons. I've had 5 in the 16 years i"ve been here. The first time was when i lost my job and had to sort a visa out straight away. I just simply didnt have 10,000 baht as i was living month to month and no family to help me. As soon as you reach 40 days, that's the 20,000 and suddenly you need 30,000 to sort it out. Its almost impossible to get a job without showing your visa so you're stuck in a vicious circle.

The same thing happened a few years after, only this time i had a gf and child. It was all i could do to keep them fed, let alone get 30,000 together. That one ran to 591 days. My latest one was a bit complicated, i was in prison on remand and my visa expired. Usually immigration have your passport, but not me so on release i was just let go and already 4 months over. I cleared that last week.

The moral of this story. WHATEVER, WHATEVER your situation. Make sure you've got that 10,000 for a visa trip.

[Eclipse]

Yes it still surprices me too, how people are ducking and sticking their heads in the sand. They have to the very most part being enabled in their falang-countries to do just that, in all walks of life, and just pay their way out if they have been spotted in whatever situation....

Time to pay up for these guys, and be on their way home again..... Unless they cant adapt and learn and obey the laws in the country they are living in..

Glegolo

Cannot see anyone disagreeing with that.

But then again some people just like to bend the rules and push things as far as they can.

[glegolo]

Nobody wants to be on overstay. Nobody thinks beforehand "i know, its cheaper to overstay 2 years and pay 20,000 the 20,000" Everyone has their reasons. I've had 5 in the 16 years i"ve been here. The first time was when i lost my job and had to sort a visa out straight away. I just simply didnt have 10,000 baht as i was living month to month and no family to help me. As soon as you reach 40 days, that's the 20,000 and suddenly you need 30,000 to sort it out. Its almost impossible to get a job without showing your visa so you're stuck in a vicious circle.

The same thing happened a few years after, only this time i had a gf and child. It was all i could do to keep them fed, let alone get 30,000 together. That one ran to 591 days. My latest one was a bit complicated, i was in prison on remand and my visa expired. Usually immigration have your passport, but not me so on release i was just let go and already 4 months over. I cleared that last week.

The moral of this story. WHATEVER, WHATEVER your situation. Make sure you've got that 10,000 for a visa trip.

The REAL moral of your story should instead be in my mind, that the law is the law, and the law is not there just at times when it fits you. Do not never blame the law and then excuse your own doings....

Either you are living in a country, and do not have the means to do it, just taking your bloody chances OR you live there with a calculated income, that covers living-expensies, and whatever more stuff you like to add to your life, like wife and children....

That is up to you, but NOT up to Thailand...

Glegolo

[NancyL]

I know about a dozen people on overstay -- long term, chronic overstay. Some have expired passports also. These people are either elderly and/or have mental health issues. All have limited income and/or mobility and don't have the means -- either mental, physical or financial to clear their overstays before March 20th.

Interestingly, many of these people have had interactions with Thai police in the past, usually for a motorcycle accident and nothing has happened, except they've become victims of a bribe for the cop to look the other way about their overstay situation. I wonder if that will continue. The fact is, the cop doesn't want to deal with arresting, say, a 76 year old alcoholic European who can barely walk (let alone ride a motorscooter) who doesn't have a valid passport, much less a visa. Imagine the paperwork that guy is going to generate, not to image the fuss raised if the guy dies in his custody. Much easier to extort a 10,000 baht bribe from him and let him go, with a warning not to drink and drive again.

I wonder if this leniency will continue.

[bkkcanuck8]

I know about a dozen people on overstay -- long term, chronic overstay. Some have expired passports also. These people are either elderly and/or have mental health issues. All have limited income and/or mobility and don't have the means -- either mental, physical or financial to clear their overstays before March 20th.

Interestingly, many of these people have had interactions with Thai police in the past, usually for a motorcycle accident and nothing has happened, except they've become victims of a bribe for the cop to look the other way about their overstay situation. I wonder if that will continue. The fact is, the cop doesn't want to deal with arresting, say, a 76 year old alcoholic European who can barely walk (let alone ride a motorscooter) who doesn't have a valid passport, much less a visa. Imagine the paperwork that guy is going to generate, not to image the fuss raised if the guy dies in his custody. Much easier to extort a 10,000 baht bribe from him and let him go, with a warning not to drink and drive again.

I wonder if this leniency will continue.

Call me a cynic, but I see the change as just a money making opportunity (raising the price of off the book services).

[BangkokKen]

Same here, the people i know on overstay are old, very poor and with mental health issues and Thai cops can't be bothered to deal with it.

And they clearly see there is no way they can pay for proper visa.

[stoneyboy]

I knew of 3 people who overstayed,all older expats who had been married for many years,one guy recently died whilst on overstay,another is still on overstay and sells food at the local markets and travelling fairs and the third has recently returned to his home country.

These people were all on significant overstay of periods not less than 5 years the longest was 9 years.

These people all lived up country where in my opinion you are much less likely to encounter any problems from police or immigration,the guy who worked also did so in plain sight of police actually outside the main police station in town,I am of the opinion also that police up country simply can not be bothered with the hassle of it all.

That said it doesn't make it right but on the flip side these people were in essence doing nothing to damage the local economy etc although I understand the frustration of people myself included who ensure that they stay legal when living in the kingdom.

It really is a shame that when older expats are no longer mobile and healthy that they aren't afforded a little more compassion from the immigration here,I am of the opinion that there are simply times when under certain circumstances people simply are better off overstaying especially if physical or mental health is failing wether that makes it right or not is not for me to say but that is my opinion.

[alocacoc]

I know one guy who overstay since more then 6 Months. I told him to clear his issue. I guess he could also leave the country by Utapao Airport. Is that correct?

[matador007]

Friends don't let friends..overstay.

[sunnyjim5]

I know one guy who overstay since more then 6 Months. I told him to clear his issue. I guess he could also leave the country by Utapao Airport. Is that correct?

Sure !

Many exciting destinations !

http://www.utapao.com/inter.html

[NoshowJones]

Friends don't let friends..overstay.

So what do they do? What can these friends do, dob them in?

[sunnyjim5]

Friends don't let friends..overstay.

How do 'friends' prevent their 'friends' from overstaying ?

[jacksam]

I'll be first to state that some time back I had very red neck bugger them attitude to overstay xpats.

That has changed. Sure there are some that have taken soft option as penalties were soft. (Unless arrested)

Since then I can see that some people get into situation for one reason or another. I'm more flexible. I hope that many on os can sort it before march 20. Seems many are not in position to

[gilo]

Since I have posted on a few occasions regarding my own overstay and clearing it I have received quite a significant number of pm's seeking advice or further info on how I cleared mine and I suppose some reassurance that they can re-enter so I think that there are a number of individuals who are availing of this last chance to get things sorted out. It can be unnerving particularly for those with particularly long overstays but again I can bear witness to the fact that if you clear your overstay, no matter how long, it is still possible to come back without difficulties. Something that is not likely to be the case two weeks from now. Again if anyone with a long overstay is reading this and is still prevaricating or nervous I am happy to discuss via pm if it would help.

[asdecas]

Good to see some opinions other than those the holier-than-thou crowd offer regularly.

[Eclipse]

Good to see some opinions other than those the holier-than-thou crowd offer regularly.

Absolute rubbish.

Do you think it is right that most of us go out of our way to comply with the immigration laws while others couldn't care less about it?

Apart from a few old codgers with mental issues I have no sympathy for any of them.

[marcofunny]

I know at least 5 guys who are currently on overstays, 3 from neighboring Asian countries 1 African and 1 Swiss expat, they wont sort out their overstays because they can not afford it, I believe there are at least 1 million illegals from Cambodia and Burma living in Thailand, i can easily get you a dozen of over-stayers who are illegal workers here just head to sukumvit Nana or pratunam and you will see dozens of cambo and Burmese.

[Dap]

I know about a dozen people on overstay -- long term, chronic overstay. Some have expired passports also. These people are either elderly and/or have mental health issues. All have limited income and/or mobility and don't have the means -- either mental, physical or financial to clear their overstays before March 20th.

Interestingly, many of these people have had interactions with Thai police in the past, usually for a motorcycle accident and nothing has happened, except they've become victims of a bribe for the cop to look the other way about their overstay situation. I wonder if that will continue. The fact is, the cop doesn't want to deal with arresting, say, a 76 year old alcoholic European who can barely walk (let alone ride a motorscooter) who doesn't have a valid passport, much less a visa. Imagine the paperwork that guy is going to generate, not to image the fuss raised if the guy dies in his custody. Much easier to extort a 10,000 baht bribe from him and let him go, with a warning not to drink and drive again.

I wonder if this leniency will continue.

My guess would be It will continue Nancy, for all the reasons you have stated above

[rhodie]

Good luck to all overstayers. Hopefully there will be some sort of amnesty period. Nobody intentionally wants to be in an overstay position, but sh#t happens.

[DipStick]

Good to see some opinions other than those the holier-than-thou crowd offer regularly.

It's not a case of holler than thou, it's a case of non Thais being in a foreign country who are quite happy to flout the laws for their own benefits. In this very thread you read of older foreigners who are sadly described as demented and incapable of fending for themselves, not nice but how the hell do they survive and what type of lives do they lead ? It seems from reading this forum that these guys lives are at a dead end and it's almost impossible to sink any lower, yet the law is the law and that's end of ! Then there was another poster who admitted he possibly has a criminal record after being imprisoned so again, where is the respect for the law ?

Are you suggesting that the laws of Thailand be changed to cater differently for those say in the 20-50 year group then another set of rules for the 50-70 group and over 70 the law allows total immunity ?

[sunnyjim5]

Good luck to all overstayers. Hopefully there will be some sort of amnesty period. Nobody intentionally wants to be in an overstay position, but sh#t happens.

Perhaps you have not noticed but there has been a significant period of 'amnesty'. The draft new rules were published and made public many months ago!

How much more time do you believe should be given?

The overstayers now have 11 days of an extended period of amnesty left to regularise their situation.

[Eclipse]

Yes they cannot be any fairer than they have been.

No doubt about it

[stoneyboy]

Yes they cannot be any fairer than they have been.

No doubt about it

While that is true regarding overstayers,the whole visa system is completely flawed unfortunately,if people over 50 and those under 50 for that matter who have children or are married can buy 1 year extensions of stay from numerous visa agents in tourist hot spots such as Pattaya then the whole system needs changing as far as I'm concerned.

[Eclipse]

Yes they cannot be any fairer than they have been.

No doubt about it

While that is true regarding overstayers,the whole visa system is completely flawed unfortunately,if people over 50 and those under 50 for that matter who have children or are married can buy 1 year extensions of stay from numerous visa agents in tourist hot spots such as Pattaya then the whole system needs changing as far as I'm concerned.

If what you say is true then yes it needs changing.

[2fishin2]

I knew of 3 people who overstayed,all older expats who had been married for many years,one guy recently died whilst on overstay,another is still on overstay and sells food at the local markets and travelling fairs and the third has recently returned to his home country.

These people were all on significant overstay of periods not less than 5 years the longest was 9 years.

These people all lived up country where in my opinion you are much less likely to encounter any problems from police or immigration,the guy who worked also did so in plain sight of police actually outside the main police station in town,I am of the opinion also that police up country simply can not be bothered with the hassle of it all.

That said it doesn't make it right but on the flip side these people were in essence doing nothing to damage the local economy etc although I understand the frustration of people myself included who ensure that they stay legal when living in the kingdom.

It really is a shame that when older expats are no longer mobile and healthy that they aren't afforded a little more compassion from the immigration here,I am of the opinion that there are simply times when under certain circumstances people simply are better off overstaying especially if physical or mental health is failing wether that makes it right or not is not for me to say but that is my opinion.

They are being shown compassion....its called an annual visa.

[2fishin2]

Good luck to all overstayers. Hopefully there will be some sort of amnesty period. Nobody intentionally wants to be in an overstay position, but sh#t happens.

You are incorrect there are hundreds probably thousands of farang on voluntary overstay. Yes people intentionally overstay..

[jspill]

From reading Thaivisa you'd think overstayers were more derided than hardcore criminals, drug peddlers, ATM skimmers and the like. Seems to get people riled up more than anything else. Why? That would be an interesting thread topic.